Ideas in Antiquity Week 14
Oh where the time has gone. I could pretend to be sad but I’m not, lord knows how tired I am of this semester and how badly I need a week long nap (not this class though). I am grateful to have been able to take this course. It has made me see the things I grew up with and life overall differently. I find it ironic that I took this class as I began my journey of self change and love. The first half of 2020 was nothing but pure chaos and heartbreak/trauma. I lost a lot of things in my life but most importantly, I lost who I was.
I made the decision to figure out who I am while taking a full course-load online and being constantly confused with online courses, the craziest election of all time (especially for us Political Science majors), and a raging pandemic that hasn’t gotten any better (except for the scientific discoveries being made all day every day). I knew that it would be rough but it’s been so fulfilling. I desperately needed guidance and this course, my own mentors, and myself have gained some clarity. I don’t know what the future holds but I’m confident and am working towards achieving my elaborate and history making dreams. For that, I say thank you.
Now, let’s go into my very last journal…
When thinking about dreams, I am excited that one of the groups picked one of my favorite films. Peep what it is below….
Hercules’ journey to Mount Olympos has always been a childhood favorite of mine. I love the muses, the catchy songs, and the classic sarcasm of Hades and Philoctetes that I may or may not have taken pointers from (but that’s my business). He had a sad childhood but he was able to use his hurt in order to selflessly save people, even when they had no good intentions for him. He has a big heart that drives everything he does which I defintely relate to. I am someone who will give my all to people even when I know I won’t get the same energy back. I am now at a point where instead of using my big heart on toxic people, I’m using it to love myself and become better in order to inspire other little girls like me. Like one of my idols Rupaul always says, ”If you can’t love yourself how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else? ”
The top key passage for me was number two where Hercules reuinites with Zeus and Pegasus. Hercules was robbed of his childhood all so that Hades could get his revenge on the gods who often cast him aside. While I think it was extreme, Hades sent his two sidekicks to kill newborn Hercules. He was lucky to be saved but his luck soon ended after he was left on Earth by his parents since he was now 99% mortal. In order to get back to his god-like status, he had to prove his worthiness. He did so by first addressing his past in this scene. I feel that all leaders should do this. I’m all for moving on and forward but you can’t get better as a person when there are things you haven’t dealt with in the past. I was proud in this scene as he was able to get his questions answered while getting the help/guidance he needed to go on his journey.
This journey continued with another favorite group selection of mine: The Freedom Writers.
I especially love this movie as it reminds me of my very own high school and my favorite teachers who were a lot like Mrs. Gruwell. One thing I (and everyone else who went to Hartford Public High School) could relate to was the student-teacher relationships and the advocacy that came with it. My school was filled with many wild moments that made the news and memories that many wouldn’t believe happened on school grouds. Though it was crazy, I will never regret being a student there as it taught me many important leadership qualities and life lessons. That school humbled me and taught me to never judge a book by its cover and to stand up for what you believe in. We were one of the poorest school districts in the state (even though we were in the capital city) and had many budget cuts that ruined the quality of our education.
Instead of complaining and doing nothing, we all teamed up to fight back and get the things that we as students deserved and most importantly, needed. My friends and I attended many fancy state educators events and even spoke on the news and state Board of Education to ensure we were being heard by those who clearly knew nothing and couldn’t properly support us. Without this, students like my little sister wouldn’t have access to better teachers, classroom equipment, and a well-rounded curriculum that now for the first time in history includes the true history of America (specifically slavery). Like the students in the movie, we had teachers like Ms. Gruwell who didn’t understand our environment but put in the effort to learn how to address our needs and stand up for us in places we wouldn’t normally be in.
True leadership is what saved my school and what I feel will save the world/America at this chaotic time. Everyone, with the right training/hard work has the ability to be amazing leaders that make a real difference. I feel lucky to have learned the leadership qualities that I’ve received from this class. Though I have a long way to go and a long road ahead, I am walking down my path with a clear head and prepared for anything. And with that, I say one thing.
Y’all better be ready for me when my true leadership shows…
